The Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis

1. The Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis Update from the Global Alliance Executive Group Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination in the Americas, 6th Regional Program Managers’ Meeting (San José, Costa Rica, October 2005)

2. The Global Alliance • The GAELF is a free, non-restrictive partnership forum consisting of the countries and organizations from public and private sectors, academia, governmental bodies and NGOs, for • exchange of ideas and sharing of information • coordination of activities • raising awareness of LF • gathering support for the Global Program to eliminate LF • The Global Program comprises the national programs of all the endemic countries, and is coordinated by the World Health Organization with the goal to eliminate lymphatic filariasis by 2020.

3. GAELF Executive Group • The EG will guide the development and implementation of • Communication strategies for the Global Alliance • Advocacy strategies for the Global Alliance • Partnership development strategies to support the Global Program and endemic countries • Engage and maintain communications with major donors and partners • Prepare for the next meeting of the Global Alliance • The EG will maintain regular contact with the Representative Contact Group as to the direction and progress of ongoing efforts.

4. Executive Group Members • Yankum Dadzie Chair • Patrick Lammie Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) • Francesco Rio World Health Organization (WHO) • Bjorn Thylefors Mectizan Donation Program • Andy Wright GlaxoSmithKline

5. Representative Contact Group (RCG) The RCG is made up of 30 representatives selected by the different partner groups at the business session at each GAELF meeting.The RCG • Appoints members of the EG at the business session of the GAELF meeting • Serves as a link between the EG and the Alliance partners • Will translate the vision, polices and recommendations of the Alliance into a work plan with priorities for the EG • Select the President of the Global Alliance. • Be responsible for communicating with their constituency groups/countries regarding Global Alliance and Executive Group initiatives. • Will actively support the implementation of fundraising and advocacy efforts of the Global Alliance as formulated by the Executive Group.

6. Representative Contact Group (RCG) RCG Members in Americas Region Marie Denise Milord Haiti To be named Dominican Republic João Batista RPRG, Chair

7. Activities of Executive Group Since GAELF3, Cairo • Regular teleconferences and face-to-face meetings • Action Plan with timelines developed from the outcomes of the Working Groups recommendations of GAELF 3 • Alliance newsletters (2) and EG Updates (6) • Advocacy and fundraising activities • Planning for GAELF4, Fiji

8. Fundraising and Advocacy

9. Fundraising and Advocacy New Prospects

10. Then Interests included using Foundation support to catalyze public-health activities Original grant supported mapping, purchase of DEC and country program activities Now Interests are focused on the development of new technologies New LOI focuses on operational research Response from Foundation pending The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

11. Personal Observations • Major donors focus on HIV, TB and malaria. • In this competitive environment, it is unlikely that a major donor for the Global Program will be identified. • Fund-raising for LF has to start at the country level. • Funds for DEC and ICT cards are especially critical. • We need your help!

12. Foundations

13. Private Sector Bilaterals